Absorbent articles with refastenable side seams

ABSTRACT

A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/676,442,filed Sep. 30, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,067, which is a continuationof application Ser. No. 09/444,083, filed Nov. 22, 1999 and now U.S.Pat. No. 6,761,711, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/112,707, filed Dec. 18, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles which are adapted tocontain body exudates. More particularly, the invention pertains topant-like disposable absorbent articles having refastenable side seams.

Current disposable absorbent training pants for children going throughthe potty training stage have proved to be a particularly desirable anduseful product. Such training pants generally include an absorbentchassis including a liquid impervious outer cover, a liquid perviousbodyside liner and an absorbent structure. The training pants furtherinclude elastic side panels that are permanently bonded to opposite sideedges of the absorbent chassis. The chassis and side panels thereby forma unitary waist opening and two leg openings. The fit of the pants maybe further enhanced by gathering means along the waist and leg openings.

The components of traditional training pants are permanently seamedtogether to provide a pant product. These products are particularlyappealing to caregivers and are useful in the toilet training processbecause the pant has a very garment-like look. Children identify diaperproducts with babies, and most children do not like being identifiedwith or as babies. Consequently, these children do not want to wear babydiapers, and instead prefer to wear training pants that look like adultunderwear. Thus, the switch from a traditional diaper to a moregarment-like or underwear-like training pant can be an important step inthe toilet training process.

One drawback with current training pants, however, is that the manner ofapplying them is limited to being pulled on like a pant. Applying theproduct like a pant is advantageous in many instances, and isparticularly suited for active, walking children. Even for the samechild, however, there may be times when it would be useful to apply theproduct like a diaper. For instance, it might be more convenient toapply the product like a diaper when there is a desire not to remove thechild's shoes. Because it is difficult to know when a particular mode ofapplying the garment will be needed, it is beneficial to have a garmentthat is adaptable to being used either as a diaper or as a pant. This ispreferable to keeping both types of garments available. A product thatcan be applied like either a diaper or a pant permits the interior ofthe product to be easily checked without having to pull the productdownward.

Thus, it would be desirable to have a disposable absorbent article thatprovides the garment-like or underwear-like look of a traditionaltraining pant yet affords the option of being applied either like adiaper or like a pant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In response to the above-referenced unfulfilled need in the art, a newpant-like disposable absorbent article having refastenable side seamshas been discovered. The absorbent article includes a fastening systemthat can be repeatedly fastened, unfastened and refastened. Therefastenable seams formed by the fastening system components aredisposed along the sides of the absorbent article for convenience and agarment-like look similar to conventional training pants, andelastomeric side panels can be positioned on either side of therefastenable seams for fit and comfort comparable to traditionaltraining pants.

In one embodiment, the present invention pertains to an absorbentarticle including an absorbent chassis defining a longitudinal axis, atransverse axis, front and back waist edges parallel to the transverseaxis, opposite side edges extending between the front and back waistedges, a front waist region contiguous with the front waist edge, a backwaist region contiguous with the back waist edge, and a crotch regionwhich extends between and interconnects the front and back waistregions. The front waist region defines a pair of transversely opposedfront side panels and a front center panel positioned between andinterconnecting the front side panels. Similarly, the back waist regiondefines a pair of transversely opposed back side panels and a backcenter panel positioned between and interconnecting the back sidepanels. At least one pair of side panels is elastomeric in a directiongenerally parallel to the transverse axis. The absorbent chassisincludes a bodyside liner, an outer cover bonded to the bodyside liner,and an absorbent assembly disposed between the bodyside liner and theouter cover. The absorbent article also includes a fastening system forreleasably securing the absorbent article in a pant-like configuration.The fastening system includes first and second fastening componentsdisposed on the back side panels and adapted to releasably engage firstand second mating fastening components disposed on the front sidepanels. Further, the transverse distance between the first and secondfastening components is substantially equal to the transverse distancebetween the first and second mating fastening components.

The fastening components and the mating fastening components formrefastenable seams for securing front and back waist regions together.The refastenable seams allow the product to be either pulled on like apant or applied like a diaper. If the training pant becomes soiledduring use, the fastening components can be disengaged from the matingfastening components to easily remove the training pant from the waistof the wearer with reduced risk of undesirably soiling the clothes orlegs of the wearer. Further, the fastening components can also be easilydisengaged from the mating fastening components to inspect the trainingpant for possible soiling. Thus, the training pant is configured to bepulled on or off over the hips of the wearer such as conventionaltraining pants and can be readily applied or removed by disengaging thefastening components similar to conventional diapers. Moreover, thefirst and second fastening components can be repositioned if necessaryafter the training pant has been pulled on over the legs and hips of thewearer.

The design of the absorbent chassis and the fastening componentsprovides the absorbent article with a fastening system which isresistant to accidental disengagement of the fastening components. Thelocation of the refastenable seams at the sides of the wearer over thehips is particularly desirable because that is an area of the absorbentarticle that is least subject to movements of the wearer, such asarticulation of the legs. The side refastenable seams have distinctadvantages over front attachment designs, which are more subject toseparation forces caused by bending at the waist and movements of thelegs of the wearer. Furthermore, in particular embodiments, there can beelastic panels on either side of the refastenable seams to isolate thefastening components from stress and strain caused by movement of thebody. In this way, the elastic panels function in a manner similar toshock absorbers to reduce stress and strain on the fastening components.Moreover, locating the refastenable seams at the sides of the wearermaintains a garment-like look to the product and is convenient foroperating the fastening components. Additionally, the fastening systemcomponents can be incorporated into the absorbent article withoutinterfering with existing outer cover graphics, which have become animportant interactive toilet training feature in current training pants.

The side panels of the absorbent article each have a waist end edgeparallel to the transverse axis and forming part of one of the waistedges, as well as an opposite leg end edge. In particular embodiments,each side panel is elastomeric in a direction parallel to the transverseaxis from the waist end edge to the leg end edge to provide automaticfit of the product around the wearer.

In another embodiment, the present invention pertains to an absorbentarticle including an absorbent chassis defining a longitudinal axis, atransverse axis, front and back waist edges parallel to the transverseaxis, opposite side edges extending between the front and back waistedges, a front waist region contiguous with the front waist edge, a backwaist region contiguous with the back waist edge, and a crotch regionwhich extends between and interconnects the front and back waistregions. The absorbent chassis includes a rectangular compositestructure having opposite linear side edges parallel to the longitudinalaxis and opposite linear end edges parallel to the transverse axis. Thecomposite structure includes a bodyside liner, an outer cover bonded tothe bodyside liner, and an absorbent assembly disposed between thebodyside liner and the outer cover. The absorbent article also includesfirst and second front side panels bonded to the composite structure inthe front waist region and first and second back side panels bonded tothe composite structure in the back waist region. A fastening system forreleasably securing the absorbent article in a pant-like configurationincludes first and second fastening components connected to therespective first and second back side panels and adapted to releasablyengage first and second mating fastening components connected to therespective first and second front side panels. The absorbent articlealso includes elastomeric components transversely disposed between thefastening components and the absorbent assembly. In this embodiment, thetransverse distance between the first and second fastening components issubstantially equal to the transverse distance between the first andsecond mating fastening components.

This embodiment of the invention provides an absorbent article that isextremely compatible with high-speed manufacturing processes. Thecomposite structure can be formed as a generally rectangular shape andthe elastomeric front and back side panels joined to the compositestructure with their waist end edges forming parts of the front and backwaist edges of the absorbent article.

In still another embodiment, the present invention pertains to anabsorbent article including an absorbent chassis and a fastening systemfor releasably securing the absorbent article in a pant-likeconfiguration. The absorbent chassis includes a rectangular compositestructure, with first and second elastomeric side panels bonded to thecomposite structure in a first waist region and first and secondelastomeric side panels bonded to the composite structure in a secondwaist region. Support members are bonded to, and extend transverselyoutward from, the first and second elastomeric side panels in the secondwaist region. The fastening system includes first and second fasteningcomponents disposed on the support members and adapted to releasablyengage first and second mating fastening components disposed on therespective first and second elastomeric side panels in the first waistregion. The elastomeric side panels in the first waist region arelongitudinally spaced from the elastomeric side panels in the secondwaist region, and the width of the elastomeric side panels in the firstwaist region is the same as the width of the elastomeric side panels inthe second waist region. This embodiment provides an absorbent articlewith a side-fastening system and equal width side panels in the oppositewaist regions.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention pertains to adisposable absorbent article including an absorbent chassis and afastening system for releasably attaching a front waist region of theabsorbent chassis to a back waist region of the absorbent chassis todefine a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant has a waist openingand a pair of leg openings and includes: a pair of elastomeric, nonwovenfront side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening;a pair of elastomeric, nonwoven back side panels extending from thewaist opening to each leg opening; a pair of refastenable seamsextending from the waist opening to each leg opening, each refastenableseam disposed between an elastomeric front side panel and an elastomericback side panel; and a pair of elastomeric leg members which partiallyencircle each leg opening.

This embodiment of the invention provides a disposable absorbent articlethat provides fit and comfort comparable to conventional training pants,yet provides the added benefits of refastenability. The elastomeric sidepanels are generally positioned over portions of the hips of the wearerand provide elasticity from the waist opening to each leg opening. Theabsorbent article fits closely about the body of the wearer due to thecombination of the elastomeric front and back side panels, and theelastomeric leg members. The refastenable seams desirably extend fromthe waist opening to each leg opening to securely hold the absorbentarticle in place on the wearer.

The refastenable seams are formed when the first and second fasteningcomponents are engaged with the first and second mating fasteningcomponents. The refastenable seams are desirably relatively thin, narrowand flexible to afford the look and feel of a cloth garment. Thus, inparticular embodiments, the refastenable seams have a length-to-widthratio of about 2 or greater, such as about 2 to about 25, particularlyabout 5 or greater, such as about 5 to about 8. The refastenable seamsdefine a length dimension and a width dimension that is perpendicular tothe length dimension. For a child of about 9 to about 15 kilograms(20-34 lbs.), for example, the length dimension is desirably from about5 to about 13 centimeters, such as about 10 centimeters, and the widthdimension is desirably from about 0.5 to about 3 centimeters, such asabout 2 centimeters. Desirably although not necessarily, the lengthdimension can be aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe absorbent article and the width dimension can be aligned generallyparallel to the transverse axis of the absorbent article. The term“generally parallel” as used herein refers to an angle within about 35degrees or less of the referenced axis, and more particularly withinabout 20 degrees or less of the referenced axis.

The fastening components can comprise any refastenable fastenerssuitable for absorbent articles, although desirably comprise mechanicalfastening elements rather than adhesive fastening elements for improvedperformance. Suitable mechanical fastening elements can be provided byinterlocking geometric shaped materials, such as hooks, loops, bulbs,mushrooms, arrowheads, balls on stems, male and female matingcomponents, buckles, snaps, or the like. In particular embodiments, thefastening components and mating fastening components comprisehook-and-loop fastening elements. One skilled in the art will recognizethat the shape, density and polymer composition of the hooks and loopsmay be selected to obtain the desired level of securement between thefastening components and the mating fastening components. A moreaggressive hook material may comprise a material with a greater averagehook height, a greater percentage of directionally-aligned hooks, or amore aggressive hook shape.

As disclosed in copending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/112,709,filed on Dec. 18, 1998 by C. P. Olson et al. and titled “AbsorbentArticles Having Differential Strength Refastenable Seam,” therefastenable seam may include one or more main refastenable attachmentzones and one or more enhanced refastenable attachment zones. The mainand enhanced refastenable attachment zones may be constructed to providedifferential levels of securement, and particularly augmented levels ofsecurement at locations which are subject to greater levels ofseparation forces.

As disclosed in copending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/112,775,filed on Dec. 18, 1998 by C. P. Olson and titled “Absorbent ArticlesHaving Hinged Fasteners,” the refastenable seam may comprise individualfastening materials with narrow spacings therebetween. The narrowspacings provide a desirable hinge to improve fit and securement of thefastening components.

The disclosed absorbent articles are adapted to be worn adjacent to thebody of a wearer to absorb and contain various exudates discharged fromthe body. The absorbent articles are desirably pre-fastened to provide apant-like product for the user. The product can then be pulled on like aconventional training pant, and subsequently checked or removed with theease of a diaper-like product. Moreover, the product may be applied likea diaper rather than like a pant. Supplemental releasable fasteningmeans such as frangible point bonds may be employed to maintain theabsorbent article in a pant configuration until the user intentionallydisengages the fasteners.

The fastening system allows for easy inspection of the interior of thepant-like product. If necessary, the fastening system also allows thepant to be removed quickly and easily. This is particularly beneficialwhen the pant contains messy excrement. If desired, the caregiver cancompletely remove the pant-like product and replace it with a new onewithout having to remove the child's shoes and clothing. The presentfastening system may be used with a wide variety of absorbent products,including training pants, diapers, incontinence garments, or othergarments using mechanical or adhesive fasteners.

A detailed description of the construction and design of one form oftraining pant can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,464 issued Jul. 10,1990 to Van Gompel et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.The Van Gompel et al. patent describes various materials of which thetraining pant can be made, and a method of constructing a training pant.

Definitions

Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below willinclude the following meaning or meanings.

“Bonded” refers to the joining, adhering, connecting, attaching, or thelike, of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be bondedtogether when they are bonded directly to one another or indirectly toone another, such as when each is directly bonded to intermediateelements.

“Comprising” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional,unrecited elements or method steps.

“Connected” refers to the joining, adhering, bonding, attaching, or thelike, of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be connectedtogether when they are connected directly to one another or indirectlyto one another, such as when each is directly connected to intermediateelements.

“Disposable” refers to articles which are designed to be discarded aftera limited use rather than being laundered or otherwise restored forreuse.

“Disposed,” “disposed on,” and variations thereof are intended to meanthat one element can be integral with another element, or that oneelement can be a separate structure bonded to or placed with or placednear another element.

“Elastic,” “elasticized” and “elasticity” mean that property of amaterial or composite by virtue of which it tends to recover itsoriginal size and shape after removal of a force causing a deformation.

“Elastomeric” refers to a material or composite which can be elongatedby at least 25 percent of its relaxed length and which will recover,upon release of the applied force, at least 10 percent of itselongation. It is generally preferred that the elastomeric material orcomposite be capable of being elongated by at least 100 percent, morepreferably by at least 300 percent, of its relaxed length and recover,upon release of an applied force, at least 50 percent of its elongation.

“Fabrics” is used to refer to all of the woven, knitted and nonwovenfibrous webs.

“Flexible” refers to materials which are compliant and which willreadily conform to the general shape and contours of the wearer's body.

“Force” includes a physical influence exerted by one body on anotherwhich produces acceleration of bodies that are free to move anddeformation of bodies that are not free to move. Force is expressed ingrams per unit area.

“Graphic” refers to any design, pattern, or the like that is visible onan absorbent article.

“Hydrophilic” describes fibers or the surfaces of fibers which arewetted by the aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree ofwetting of the materials can, in turn, be described in terms of thecontact angles and the surface tensions of the liquids and materialsinvolved. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring thewettability of particular fiber materials or blends of fiber materialscan be provided by a Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System, or asubstantially equivalent system. When measured with this system, fibershaving contact angles less than 90° are designated “wettable” orhydrophilic, while fibers having contact angles greater than 90° are,designated “nonwettable” or hydrophobic.

“Integral” is used to refer to various portions of a single unitaryelement rather than separate structures bonded to or placed with orplaced near one another.

“Inward” and “outward” refer to positions relative to the center of anabsorbent article, and particularly transversely and/or longitudinallycloser to or away from the longitudinal and transverse center of theabsorbent article.

“Layer” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a singleelement or a plurality of elements.

“Liquid impermeable”, when used in describing a layer or multi-layerlaminate, means that a liquid, such as urine, will not pass through thelayer or laminate, under ordinary use conditions, in a directiongenerally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate at thepoint of liquid contact. Liquid, or urine, may spread or be transportedparallel to the plane of the liquid impermeable layer or laminate, butthis is not considered to be within the meaning of “liquid impermeable”when used herein.

“Longitudinal” and “transverse” have their customary meaning, asindicated by the longitudinal and transverse axes depicted in FIGS. 2and 3. The longitudinal axis lies in the plane of the article and isgenerally parallel to a vertical plane that bisects a standing wearerinto left and right body halves when the article is worn. The transverseaxis lies in the plane of the, article generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis. The article as illustrated is longer in thelongitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.

“Member” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a singleelement or a plurality of elements.

“Nonwoven” and “nonwoven web” refer to materials and webs of materialwhich are formed without the aid of a textile weaving or knittingprocess.

“Operatively joined,” with reference to the attachment of an elasticmember to another element, means that the elastic member when attachedto or connected to the element, or treated with heat or chemicals, bystretching, or the like, gives the element elastic properties; and withreference to the attachment of a non-elastic member to another element,means that the member and element can be attached in any suitable mannerthat permits or allows them to perform the intended or describedfunction of the joinder. The joining, attaching, connecting or the likecan be either directly, such as joining either member directly to anelement, or can be indirectly by means of another member disposedbetween the first member and the first element.

“Outer cover graphic” refers to a graphic that is directly visible uponinspection of the exterior surface of a garment, and for a refastenablegarment is in reference to inspection of the exterior surface of thegarment when the fastening system is engaged as it would be during use.

“Permanently bonded” refers to the joining, adhering, connecting,attaching, or the like, of two elements of an absorbent garment suchthat the elements tend to be and remain bonded during normal useconditions of the absorbent garment.

“Refastenable” refers to the property of two elements being capable ofreleasable attachment, separation, and subsequent releasablereattachment without substantial permanent deformation or rupture.

“Releasably attached,” “releasably engaged” and variations thereof referto two elements being connected or connectable such that the elementstend to remain connected absent a separation force applied to one orboth of the elements, and the elements being capable of separationwithout substantial permanent deformation or rupture. The requiredseparation force is typically beyond that encountered while wearing theabsorbent garment.

“Rupture” means the breaking or tearing apart of a material; in tensiletesting, the term refers to the total separation of a material into twoparts either all at once or in stages, or the development of a hole insome materials.

“Stretch bonded” refers to an elastic member being bonded to anothermember while the elastic member is extended at least about 25 percent ofits relaxed length. Desirably, the term “stretch bonded” refers to thesituation wherein the elastic member is extended at least about 100percent, and more desirably at least about 300 percent, of its relaxedlength when it is bonded to the other member.

“Stretch bonded laminate” refers to a composite material having at leasttwo layers in which one layer is a gatherable layer and the other layeris an elastic layer. The layers are joined together when the elasticlayer is in an extended condition so that upon relaxing the layers, thegatherable layer is gathered.

“Surface” includes any layer, film, woven, nonwoven, laminate,composite, or the like, whether pervious or impervious to air, gas,and/or liquids.

“Tension” includes a uniaxial force tending to cause the extension of abody or the balancing force within that body resisting the extension.

“Thermoplastic” describes a material that softens when exposed to heatand which substantially returns to a nonsoftened condition when cooledto room temperature.

These terms may be defined with additional language in the remainingportions of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features of the present invention and themanner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the inventionitself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings, wherein similar features indifferent figures have been given the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one type of disposable absorbentarticle incorporating the principles of the present invention, where thefastening system is shown engaged on one side of the absorbent articleand disengaged on the other side of the absorbent article.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the disposable absorbent article shownin FIG. 1 in an unfastened, stretched and laid flat condition, andshowing the surface of the article that faces away from the wearer.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view similar to FIG. 2, but showing thesurface of the article that faces the wearer when the article is worn,and with portions cut away to show the underlying features.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an alternative disposable absorbentarticle shown in an unfastened, stretched and laid flat condition, andshowing the surface of the article that faces away from the wearer.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a portion of a sidepanel of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged plan view of a side panel of the typeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged plan view of a portion of an alternativeside panel.

FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of a further alternative disposableabsorbent article shown in an unfastened, stretched and laid flatcondition, and showing the surface of the article that faces away fromthe wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles of the present invention can be incorporated into anysuitable disposable absorbent article. Examples of such suitablearticles include diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products,incontinence products, other personal care or health care garments, orthe like. For ease of explanation, the description hereafter will be interms of a child's training pant.

With reference to FIG. 1, a disposable absorbent article, such as atraining pant 20, is illustrated in a partially fastened condition. Thetraining pant 20 comprises an absorbent chassis 32 and a fasteningsystem 80. The absorbent chassis 32 defines a front waist region 22, aback waist region 24, a crotch region 26 interconnecting the front andback waist regions, an inner surface 28 which is configured to contactthe wearer, and an outer surface 30 opposite the inner surface which isconfigured to contact the wearer's clothing. With additional referenceto FIGS. 2 and 3, the absorbent chassis 32 also defines a pair oftransversely opposed side edges 36 and a pair of longitudinally opposedwaist edges, which are designated front waist edge 38 and back waistedge 39. The front waist region 22 is contiguous with the front waistedge 38, and the back waist region 24 is contiguous with the back waistedge 39.

The illustrated absorbent chassis 32 comprises a rectangular compositestructure 33, a pair of transversely opposed front side panels 34, and apair of transversely opposed back side panels 134. The compositestructure 33 and side panels 34 and 134 may be integrally formed orcomprise two or more separate elements, as shown in FIG. 1. Theillustrated composite structure 33 comprises an outer cover 40, abodyside liner 42 (FIGS. 1 and 3) which is connected to the outer coverin a superposed relation, an absorbent assembly 44 (FIG. 3) which islocated between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and a pair ofcontainment flaps 46 (FIG. 3). The rectangular composite structure 33has opposite linear end edges 45 that form portions of the front andback waist edges 38 and 39, and opposite linear side edges 47 that formportions of the side edges 36 of the absorbent chassis 32 (FIGS. 2 and3). For reference, arrows 48 and 49 depicting the orientation of thelongitudinal axis and the transverse axis, respectively, of the trainingpant 20 are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

With the training pant 20 in the fastened position as partiallyillustrated in FIG. 1, the front and back waist regions 22 and 24 arejoined together to define a three-dimensional pant configuration havinga waist opening 50 and a pair of leg openings 52. The front waist region22 comprises the portion of the training pant 20 which, when worn, ispositioned on the front of the wearer while the back waist region 24comprises the portion of the training pant which, when worn, ispositioned on the back of the wearer. The crotch region 26 of thetraining pant 20 comprises the portion of the training pant which, whenworn, is positioned between the legs of the wearer and covers the lowertorso of the wearer. The front and back side panels 34 and 134 comprisethe portions of the training pant 20 which, when worn, are positioned onthe hips of the wearer.

The front waist region 22 of the absorbent chassis 32 includes thetransversely opposed front side panels 34 and a front center panel 35(FIGS. 2 and 3) positioned between and interconnecting the side panels.The back waist region 24 of the absorbent chassis 32 includes thetransversely opposed back side panels 134 and a back center panel 135(FIGS. 2 and 3) positioned between and interconnecting the side panels.The waist edges 38 and 39 of the absorbent chassis 32 are configured toencircle the waist of the wearer when worn and provide the waist opening50 which defines a waist perimeter dimension. Portions of thetransversely opposed side edges 36 in the crotch region 26 generallydefine the leg openings 52.

The absorbent chassis 32 is configured to contain and/or absorb any bodyexudates discharged from the wearer. For example, the absorbent chassis32 desirably although not necessarily comprises the pair of containmentflaps 46 which are configured to provide a barrier to the transverseflow of body exudates. A flap elastic member 53 (FIG. 3) is operativelyjoined with each containment flap 46 in any suitable manner as is wellknown in the art. The elasticized containment flaps 46 define anunattached edge which assumes an upright, generally perpendicularconfiguration in at least the crotch region 26 of the training pant 20to form a seal against the wearer's body. The containment flaps 46 canbe located along the transversely opposed side edges of the absorbentchassis 32, and can extend longitudinally along the entire length of theabsorbent chassis or may only extend partially along the length of theabsorbent chassis. Suitable constructions and arrangements for thecontainment flaps 46 are generally well known to those skilled in theart and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,116 issued Nov. 3, 1987 toEnloe, which is incorporated herein by reference.

To further enhance containment and/or absorption of body exudates, thetraining pant 20 desirably includes a front waist elastic member 54, arear waist elastic member 56, and leg elastic members 58, as are knownto those skilled in the art (FIG. 3). The waist elastic members 54 and56 can be operatively joined to the outer cover 40 and/or bodyside liner42 along the opposite waist edges 38 and 39, and can extend over part orall of the waist edges. The leg elastic members 58 are desirablyoperatively joined to the outer cover 40 and/or bodyside liner 42 alongthe opposite side edges 36 and positioned in the crotch region 26 of thetraining pant 20. The leg elastic members 58 are desirablylongitudinally aligned along each side edge 47 of the compositestructure 33. Each leg elastic member 58 has a front terminal point 63and a back terminal point 65, which points represent the longitudinalends of the elastic gathering caused by the leg elastic members. Thefront terminal points 63 are desirably located adjacent thelongitudinally innermost parts of the front side panels 34, and the backterminal points 65 are desirably located adjacent the longitudinallyinnermost parts of the back side panels 134.

The flap elastic members 53, the waist elastic members 54 and 56, andthe leg elastic members 58 can be formed of any suitable elasticmaterial. As is well known to those skilled in the art, suitable elasticmaterials include sheets, strands or ribbons of natural rubber,synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. The elasticmaterials can be stretched and adhered to a substrate, adhered to agathered substrate, or adhered to a substrate and then elasticized orshrunk, for example with the application of heat; such that elasticconstrictive forces are imparted to the substrate. In one particularembodiment, for example, the leg elastic members 58 comprise a pluralityof dry-spun coalesced multifilament spandex elastomeric threads soldunder the trade name LYCRA® and available from E. I. Du Pont de Nemoursand Company, Wilmington, Del., U.S.A.

The outer cover 40 desirably comprises a material that is substantiallyliquid impermeable, and can be elastic, stretchable or nonstretchable.The outer cover 40 can be a single layer of liquid impermeable material,but desirably comprises a multi-layered laminate structure in which atleast one of the layers is liquid impermeable. For instance, the outercover 40 can include a liquid permeable outer layer and a liquidimpermeable inner layer that are suitably joined together by a laminateadhesive (not shown). Suitable laminate adhesives, which can be appliedcontinuously or intermittently as beads, a spray, parallel swirls, orthe like, can be obtained from Findley Adhesives, Inc., of Wauwatosa,Wis., U.S.A., or from National Starch and Chemical Company, Bridgewater,N.J., U.S.A. The liquid permeable outer layer can be any suitablematerial and desirably one that provides a generally cloth-like texture.One example of such a material is a 20 gsm (grams per square meter)spunbond polypropylene nonwoven web. The outer layer may also be made ofthose materials of which liquid permeable bodyside liner 42 is made.While it is not a necessity for outer layer to be liquid permeable, itis desired that it provides a relatively cloth-like texture to thewearer.

The inner layer of the outer cover 40 can be both liquid and vaporimpermeable, or can be liquid impermeable and vapor permeable. The innerlayer is desirably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although otherflexible liquid impermeable materials may also be used. The inner layer,or the liquid impermeable outer cover 40 when a single layer, preventswaste material from wetting articles, such as bedsheets and clothing, aswell as the wearer and caregiver. A suitable liquid impermeable film foruse as a liquid impermeable inner layer, or a single layer liquidimpermeable outer cover 40, is a 1.0 mil polyethylene film commerciallyavailable from Edison Plastics Company of South Plainfield, N.J., U.S.A.If the outer cover 40 is a single layer of material, it can be embossedand/or matte finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Asearlier mentioned, the liquid impermeable material can permit vapors toescape from the interior of the disposable absorbent article, whilestill preventing liquids from passing through the outer cover 40. Asuitable “breathable” material is composed of a microporous polymer filmor a nonwoven fabric that has been coated or otherwise treated to imparta desired level of liquid impermeability. A suitable microporous film isa PMP-1 film material commercially available from Mitsui ToatsuChemicals, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, or an XKO-8044 polyolefin filmcommercially available from 3M Company, Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the training pant 20 and in particular theouter cover 40 desirably comprises one or more appearance-relatedcomponents. Examples of appearance-related components include, but arenot limited to, graphics; highlighting or emphasizing leg and waistopenings in order to make product shaping more evident or visible to theuser; highlighting or emphasizing areas of the product to simulatefunctional components such as elastic leg bands, elastic waistbands,simulated “fly openings” for boys, ruffles for girls; highlighting areasof the product to change the appearance of the size of the product;registering wetness indicators, temperature indicators, and the like inthe product; registering a back label, or a front label, in the product;and registering written instructions at a desired location in theproduct.

The illustrated training pant 20, which is designed for use by younggirls, includes a registered outer cover graphic 60. In this design, theregistered graphic 60 includes simulated a primary-pictorial image 61,simulated waist ruffles 62, and simulated leg ruffles 64. The primarypictorial image 61 includes a rainbow, sun, clouds, animal characters,wagon and balloons. Any suitable design can be utilized for a trainingpant intended for use by young girls, so as to be aesthetically and/orfunctionally pleasing to them and the caregiver. The appearance-relatedcomponents are desirably positioned on the training pant 20 at selectedlocations, which can be carried out using the methods disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,766,389 issued Jun. 16, 1998 to Brandon et al., which isincorporated herein by reference. The primary pictorial image 61 isdesirably positioned in the front waist region 22 along the longitudinalcenterline of the training pant 20.

The liquid permeable bodyside liner 42 is illustrated as overlying theouter cover 40 and absorbent assembly 44, and may but need not have thesame dimensions as the outer cover 40. The bodyside liner 42 isdesirably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the child'sskin. Further, the bodyside liner 42 can be less hydrophilic than theabsorbent assembly 44, to present a relatively dry surface to the wearerand permit liquid to readily penetrate through its thickness.

The bodyside liner 42 can be manufactured from a wide selection of webmaterials, such as synthetic fibers (for example, polyester orpolypropylene fibers), natural fibers (for example, wood or cottonfibers), a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams,reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, or the like. Various wovenand nonwoven fabrics can be used for the bodyside liner 42. For example,the bodyside liner can be composed of a meltblown or spunbonded web ofpolyolefin fibers. The bodyside liner can also be a bonded-carded webcomposed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner can becomposed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobicmaterial can, optionally, be treated with a surfactant or otherwiseprocessed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity.For example, the material can be surface treated with about 0.28 weightpercent of a surfactant commercially available from the Rohm and HaasCo. under the trade designation Triton X-102. The surfactant can beapplied by any conventional means, such as spraying, printing, brushcoating or the like. The surfactant can be applied to the entirebodyside liner 42 or can be selectively applied to particular sectionsof the bodyside liner, such as the medial section along the longitudinalcenterline.

A suitable liquid permeable bodyside liner 42 is a nonwoven bicomponentweb having a basis weight of about 27 gsm. The nonwoven bicomponent canbe a spunbond bicomponent web, or a bonded carded bicomponent web.Suitable bicomponent staple fibers include a polyethylene/polypropylenebicomponent fiber available from CHISSO Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Inthis particular bicomponent fiber, the polypropylene forms the core andthe polyethylene forms the sheath of the fiber. Other fiber orientationsare possible, such as multi-lobe, side-by-side, end-to-end, or the like.While the outer cover 40 and bodyside liner 42 can comprise elastomericmaterials, it can be desirable in some embodiments for the compositestructure to be generally inelastic, where the outer cover, the bodysideliner and the absorbent assembly comprise materials that are generallynot elastomeric.

The absorbent assembly 44 (FIG. 3) is positioned between the outer cover40 and the bodyside liner 42, which components can be joined together byany suitable means such as adhesives as is well known in the art. Theabsorbent assembly 44 can be any structure which is generallycompressible, conformable, non-irritating to the child's skin, andcapable of absorbing and retaining liquids and certain body wastes. Theabsorbent assembly 44 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes andshapes, and from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonlyused in the art. For example, the absorbent assembly 44 can suitablycomprise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a web of cellulosicfluff, mixed with particles of a high-absorbency material commonly knownas superabsorbent material. In a particular embodiment, the absorbentassembly 44 comprises a matrix of cellulosic fluff, such as wood pulpfluff, and superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles. The wood pulpfluff can be exchanged with synthetic, polymeric, meltblown fibers orwith a combination of meltblown fibers and natural fibers. Thesuperabsorbent particles can be substantially homogeneously mixed withthe hydrophilic fibers or can be nonuniformly mixed. The fluff andsuperabsorbent particles can also be selectively placed into desiredzones of the absorbent assembly 44 to better contain and absorb bodyexudates. The concentration of the superabsorbent particles can alsovary through the thickness of the absorbent assembly 44. Alternatively,the absorbent assembly 44 can comprise a laminate of fibrous webs andsuperabsorbent material or other suitable means of maintaining asuperabsorbent material in a localized area.

Suitable superabsorbent materials can be selected from natural,synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials. Thesuperabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silicagels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers. Suitablesuperabsorbent materials are available from various commercial vendors,such as Dow Chemical Company located in Midland, Mich., U.S.A., andStockhausen GmbH & Co. KG, D-47805 Krefeld, Federal Republic of Germany.Typically, a superabsorbent material is capable of absorbing at leastabout 15 times its weight in water, and desirably is capable ofabsorbing more than about 25 times its weight in water.

In one embodiment, the absorbent assembly 44 is generally rectangular inshape, and comprises a blend of wood pulp fluff and superabsorbentmaterial. One preferred type of fluff is identified with the tradedesignation CR1654, available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah,Wis., U.S.A., and is a bleached, highly absorbent sulfate wood pulpcontaining primarily soft wood fibers. As a general rule, thesuperabsorbent material is present in the absorbent assembly 44 in anamount of from about 5 to about 90 weight percent based on total weightof the absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly 44 suitably has adensity within the range of about 0.10 to about 0.35 grams per cubiccentimeter. The absorbent assembly 44 may or may not be wrapped orencompassed by a suitable tissue wrap that maintains the integrityand/or shape of absorbent assembly.

The absorbent chassis 32 can also incorporate other materials that aredesigned primarily to receive, temporarily store, and/or transportliquid along the mutually facing surface with absorbent assembly 44,thereby maximizing the absorbent capacity of absorbent assembly. Onesuitable material is referred to as a surge layer (not shown) andcomprises a material having a basis weight of about 50 grams per squaremeter, and comprising a through-air-bonded-carded web of a homogenousblend of 60 percent 3 denier bicomponent fiber comprising a polyestercore/polyethylene sheath, commercially available from BASF Corporation,and 40 percent 6 denier polyester fiber, commercially available fromHoechst Celanese Corporation, in Portsmouth, Va., U.S.A.

As noted previously, the illustrated training pant 20 has front and backside panels 34 and 134 disposed on each side of the absorbent chassis32. These transversely opposed front side panels 34 and transverselyopposed back side panels 134 can be permanently bonded to the compositestructure 33 of the absorbent chassis 32 in the respective front andback waist regions 22 and 24, and are releasably attached to one anotherby the fastening system 80. More particularly, as shown best in FIGS. 2and 3, the front side panels 34 can be permanently bonded to and extendtransversely beyond the linear side edges 47 of the composite structure33 in the front waist region 22 along attachment lines 66, and the backside panels 134 can be permanently bonded to and extend transverselybeyond the linear side edges of the composite structure in the backwaist region 24 along attachment lines 66. The side panels 34 and 134may be attached using attachment means known to those skilled in the artsuch as adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding. The side panels 34 and134 can also be formed as a portion of a component of the compositestructure 33, such as the outer cover or the bodyside liner.

The illustrated side panels 34 and 134 each define a distal edge 68 thatis spaced from the attachment line 66, a leg end edge 70 disposed towardthe longitudinal center of the training pant 20, and a waist end edge 72disposed toward a longitudinal end of the training pant. The leg endedge 70 and waist end edge 72 extend from the side edges 47 of thecomposite structure 33 to the distal edges 68. The leg end edges 70 ofthe side panels 34 and 134 form part of the side edges 36 of theabsorbent chassis 32. In the back waist region 24, the leg end edges 70are desirably although not necessarily angled relative to the transverseaxis 49 to provide greater coverage toward the back of the pant ascompared to the front of the pant. The waist end edges 72 are desirablyparallel to the transverse axis 49. The waist end edges 72 of the frontside panels 34 form part of the front waist edge 38 of the absorbentchassis 32, and the waist end edges 72 of the back side panels 134 formpart of the back waist edge 39 of the absorbent chassis.

In particular embodiments for improved fit and appearance, the sidepanels 34 and 134 desirably have an average length dimension measuredparallel to the longitudinal axis 48 that is about 20 percent orgreater, and particularly about 25 percent or greater, of the overalllength dimension of the absorbent article, also measured parallel to thelongitudinal axis 48. For example, in training pants having an overalllength dimension of about 54 centimeters, the side panels 34 and 134desirably have an average length dimension of about 10 centimeters orgreater, such as about 15 centimeters. While each of the side panels 34and 134 extend from the waist opening 50 to one of the leg openings 52,the back side panels 134 have a continually decreasing length dimensionmoving from the attachment line 66 to the distal edge 68, as is bestshown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Each of the side panels 34 and 134 can include one or more individual,distinct pieces of material. In particular embodiments, for example,each side panel 34 and 134 can include first and second side panelportions that are joined at a seam, with at least one of the portionscomprising an elastomeric material (see FIG. 7). Still alternatively,each individual side panel 34 and 134 can include a single piece ofmaterial which is folded over upon itself along an intermediate foldline (not shown).

The side panels 34 and 134 desirably comprise an elastic materialcapable of stretching in a direction generally parallel to thetransverse axis 49 of the training pant 20. In particular embodiments,the front and back side panels 34 and 134 may each comprise an interiorportion 78 disposed between the distal edge 68 and the respective frontor back center panel 35 or 135. In the illustrated embodiment, theinterior portions 78 are disposed between the distal edges 68 and theside edges 47 of the rectangular composite structure 33. The, elasticmaterial of the side panels 34 can be disposed in the interior portions78 to render the side panels elastomeric in a direction generallyparallel to the transverse axis 49. Most desirably, each side panel 34is elastomeric from the waist end edge 72 to the leg end edge 70. Morespecifically, individual samples of side panel material, taken, betweenthe waist end edge 72 and the leg end edge 70 parallel to the transverseaxis 49 and having a length from the attachment line 66 to the distaledge 68 and a width of 2 centimeters, are all elastomeric.

Suitable elastic materials, as well as one described process ofincorporating elastic side panels into a training pant, are described inthe following U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,464 issued Jul. 10, 1990 to Van Gompelet al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,405 issued Jul. 6, 1993 to Pohjola; U.S.Pat. No. 5,104,116 issued Apr. 14, 1992 to Pohjola; and U.S. Pat. No.5,046,272 issued Sep. 10, 1991 to Vogt et al.; all of which areincorporated herein by reference. In particular embodiments, the elasticmaterial comprises a stretch-thermal laminate (STL), a neck-bondedlaminate (NBL), a reversibly necked laminate, or a stretch-bondedlaminate (SBL) material. Methods of making such materials are well knownto those skilled in the art and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,220issued May 5, 1987 to Wisneski et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,992 issuedJul. 13, 1993 to Mormon; and European Patent Application No. EP 0 217032 published on Apr. 8, 1987 in the names of Taylor et al.; all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the sidepanel material may comprise other woven or nonwoven materials, such asthose described above as being suitable for the outer cover 40 orbodyside liner 42, or stretchable but inelastic materials.

The training pant 20 according to the present invention also includes afastening system 80 for securing the training pant about the waist ofthe wearer (FIGS. 2 and 3). The illustrated fastening system 80 includesfirst and second fastening components 82 and 83 that are adapted torefastenably connect to first and second mating fastening components 84and 85. In one embodiment, one surface of each of the first and secondfastening components 82 and 83 comprises a plurality of engagingelements that project from that surface. The engaging elements of thesefastening components 82 and 83 are adapted to repeatedly engage anddisengage the engaging elements of the mating fastening components 84and 85.

In one particular embodiment, the first and second fastening components82 and 83 each comprise hook type fasteners and the first and secondmating fastening components 84 and 85 each comprise complementary looptype fasteners. In another particular embodiment, the first and secondfastening components 82 and 83 each comprise loop type fasteners and thefirst and second mating fastening components 84 and 85 each comprisecomplementary hook type fasteners. Although the illustrated embodimentsshow the back waist region 24 overlapping the front waist region 22,which is convenient, the training pant 20 can also be configured so thatthe front waist region overlaps the back waist region. Loop typefasteners typically comprise a fabric or material having a base orbacking structure and a plurality of loop members extending upwardlyfrom at least one surface of the backing structure. The loop materialcan be formed of any suitable material, such as acrylic, nylon orpolyester, and can be formed by methods such as warp knitting, stitchbonding or needle punching. Suitable loop materials are available fromGuilford Mills, Inc., Greensboro, N.C., U.S.A. under the tradedesignation No. 36549.

Hook type fasteners typically comprise a fabric or material having abase or backing structure and a plurality of hook members extendingupwardly from at least one surface of the backing structure. In contrastto the loop type fasteners which desirably comprise a flexible fabric,the hook material advantageously comprises a resilient material tominimize unintentional disengagement of the fastener components as aresult of the hook material becoming deformed and catching on clothingor other items. The term “resilient” as used herein refers to aninterlocking material having a predetermined shape and the property ofthe interlocking material to resume the predetermined shape after beingengaged and disengaged from a mating, complementary interlockingmaterial. Suitable hook material can be molded or extruded of nylon,polypropylene or another suitable material. Suitable single-sided hookmaterials for the fastening components 82 and 83 or the mating fasteningcomponents 84 and 85 are available from Velcro Industries B.V.,Amsterdam, Netherlands or affiliates thereof, and are identified asVelcro HTH-829 with a unidirectional hook pattern and having a thicknessof about 0.089 millimeters (3.5 mils) and HTH-851 with a uni-directionalhook pattern and having a thickness of about 0.051 millimeters (2 mils).

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the first and second fasteningcomponents 82 and 83 are desirably disposed on the inner surface 28 ofthe training pant 20 in the back waist region 24. The first and secondfastening components 82 and 83 are desirably positioned along the distaledges 68 of the back side panels 134, and abutting or adjacent to thewaist end edge 72. In certain embodiments, for example, the first andsecond fastening components 82 and 83 are located within about 2centimeters, and more particularly within about 1 centimeter, of thedistal edges 68, the waist end edges 72, and the leg end edges 70.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, the first and second matingfastening components 84 and 85 are disposed on the outer surface 30 ofthe training pant 20 in the front waist region 22. The first and secondmating fastening components 84 and 85 are sized to receive the first andsecond fastening components 82 and 83 and are desirably positioned alongthe distal edges 68 of the front side panels 34, and abutting oradjacent to the waist end edge 72. In certain embodiments, for example,the first and second mating fastening components 84 and 85 are locatedwithin about 2 centimeters, and more particularly within about 1centimeter, of the distal edges 68, the waist end edges 72, and the legend edges 70. Where the fastening components 82 and 83 comprise looptype fasteners disposed on the inner surface 28 and the mating fasteningcomponents 84 and 85 comprise hook type fasteners disposed on the outersurface 30, the fastening components can be sized larger than the matingfastening components to ensure coverage of the rigid, outwardly-directedhooks.

For the refastenable seams 88 to be located at the sides of the wearer,it is particularly desirable for the transverse distance between thefirst and second fastening components 82 and 83 to be substantiallyequal to the transverse distance between the first and second matingfastening components 84 and 85. The transverse distance between a set offasteners is the distance measured parallel to the transverse axis 49between the longitudinal centerlines of the fasteners, measured with theside panels 34 and 134 in an unstretched condition.

The fastening components and the mating fastening components 82-85 canbe adhered to the side panels 34 and 134 by any means known to thoseskilled in the art such as adhesive bonds, sonic bonds or thermal bonds.In an alternative embodiment, the training pant 20 includes only asingle mating fastening component disposed in the front waist region 22for refastenably connecting the fastening components 82 and 83 (notshown). In a further alternative embodiment, the fastening componentsand mating fastening components can comprise integral portions of theside panels. For instance, the elastomeric front side panels 34 canfunction as a mating fastening component in that they can comprise amaterial that is releasably engageable with the fastening components 82and 83. The first and second mating fastening components 84 and 85 aredesirably rectangular, although they may alternatively be square, round,oval, curved or otherwise nonrectangularly shaped.

When the fastening components and the mating fastening components 82-85are releasably engaged, the side edges 36 of the absorbent chassis 32 inthe crotch region 26 define the leg openings 52, and the waist edges 38and 39 of the absorbent chassis, including the waist end edges 72 of theside panels, define the waist opening 50. For improved formation of theleg openings 52, it is desirable in some embodiments for the front sidepanels 34 to be longitudinally spaced from the back side panels 134 (seeFIGS. 2 and 3). For example, the front side panels 34 can belongitudinally spaced from the back side panels 134 by a distance equalto about 20 percent or greater, particularly from about 20 to about 60percent, and more particularly from about 35 to about 50 percent, of theoverall length dimension of the absorbent article.

When connected, the fastening components and the mating fasteningcomponents 82-85 form a refastenable seam 88 (FIG. 1). In particularembodiments, each of the fastening, components and the mating fasteningcomponents 82-85 defines a length dimension aligned generally parallelwith the longitudinal axis 48 of the training pant 20 and a widthdimension aligned generally parallel with the transverse axis 49 of thetraining pant. For a child of about 9 to about 15 kilograms (20-30pounds), for example, the length dimension of the fastening componentsand mating fastening components is desirably from about 5 to about 13centimeters, such as about 10 centimeters, and the width dimension isdesirably from about 0.5 to about 3 centimeters, such as about 1centimeter. The fastening components and the mating fastening componentsdesirably have a length-to-width ratio of about 2 or greater, such asabout 2 to about 25, and particularly about 5 or greater, such as about5 to about 8.

The refastenable seams 88 desirably extend substantially the entiredistance between the waist opening 50 and the leg openings 52 when thefastening components 82-85 are engaged. More specifically, therefastenable seams 88 can cover about 80 to 100 percent, andparticularly about 90 to about 98 percent, of the distance between thewaist opening 50 and each leg opening 52, which distance is measuredparallel to the longitudinal axis 48. To construct the seams 88 toextend substantially the entire distance between the waist and legopenings 50 and 52, the fastening components 82-85 can be formed tocover about 80 to 100 percent, and more particularly about 90 to about98 percent, of the distance between the waist end edge 70 and the legend edge 72 of the side panels 34 and 134.

The absorbent chassis 32 and the fastening system 80 together define arefastenable pant having a waist opening 50 and a pair of leg openings52. When the fastening system is engaged, it can be appreciated that therefastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels 34extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair ofelastomeric back side panels 134 extending from the waist opening toeach leg opening, a pair of refastenable seams 88 extending from thewaist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomericfront and back side panels, an elastomeric front waistband 54 disposedin the front waist region and positioned between the pair of elastomericfront side panels, an elastomeric back waistband 56 disposed in the backwaist region and positioned between the pair of elastomeric back sidepanels, and a pair of elastomeric leg members 58 which partiallyencircle each leg opening. Each elastomeric leg member 58 extends fromadjacent an elastomeric front side panel 34 in the front waist region 22to adjacent an elastomeric back side panel 134 in the back waist region24.

An alternative training pant 300 is illustrated in a stretched and laidflat condition in FIG. 4. The training pant 300 includes panel members302 and 304 that are disposed respectively in the front and back waistregions 22 and 24. The panel member 302 in the front waist region 22forms first and second side panels 310 and 312 that extend transverselyoutward from the composite structure 33 and the absorbent assembly 44(FIG. 3). Similarly, the panel member 304 in the back waist region 24forms first and second side panels 314 and 316 that extend transverselyoutward from the composite structure 33 and the absorbent assembly 44.

The training pant 300 also includes first and second fasteningcomponents 82 and 83 bonded to the inner surface 28 of the backattachment panels 314 and 316, and first and second mating fasteningcomponents 84 and 85 bonded to the outer surface 30 of the frontattachment panels 310 and 312. In one particular embodiment, thefastening components 82 and 83 comprise loop type fasteners and themating fastening components 84 and 85 comprise hook type fasteners thatare directed outward, away from the body to minimize the chance of skinirritation.

The panel members 302 and 304 can each comprise an integral portion of acomponent of the composite structure 33, such as the bodyside liner 42or a layer of the outer cover 40; or comprise a separate element bondedto the composite structure; or comprise a plurality of layers, whetherintegral portions, separate elements, or a combination thereof.Alternatively, the panel members 302 and 304 can represent portions of asingle unitary member, such as a component of the composite structure33, for example, an elastic or stretchable outer cover (not shown). Thepanel members 302 and 304 and thus the side panels 310, 312, 314 and 316can comprise either elastic or inelastic materials. With additionalreference to FIG. 5, the panel members 302 and 304 in the illustratedembodiment comprises a plurality of elastomeric segments 320 disposedbetween an outer facing layer 322 and an inner facing layer 324.

The elastomeric segments 320 can be positioned and arranged so that theside panels 310, 312, 314 and 316 have elastic properties in a directiongenerally parallel to the transverse axis 49 of the training pant 300.The elastomeric segments 320 can comprise elastomeric films, webs,strands, fibers or the like, and can comprise elastic materials similarto those described in relation to other elastic components of thetraining pants 20 and 300. The facing layers 322 and 324 can comprisematerials of the type described in relation to the bodyside liner 42,the side panels 34, or the like.

An enlarged plan view of a side panel 34 of the type shown in FIG. 1 isillustrated in FIG. 6. Only one side panel 34 is shown in FIG. 6,although it should be understood that other side panels can employ asimilar construction. The side panel 34 can be bonded to and extendtransversely beyond the linear side edge 47 of the composite structure33 along attachment line 66. The side panel 34 defines a distal edge 68that is spaced from the attachment line 66, a leg end edge 70 disposedtoward the longitudinal center of the training pant 20, and a waist endedge 72 disposed toward a longitudinal end of the training pant.

In particular embodiments, the fastening component 85 is spaced inwardfrom the distal edge 68 and the end edges 70 and 72 in order to protectthe wearer from irritation that might be caused by contact with thefastening component. Specifically, the fastening component 85 can bespaced transversely inward from the distal edge 68 in the region ofreference numeral 100. Also, the fastening component 85 can be spacedlongitudinally inward from the leg end edge 70 in the region ofreference numeral 102, and spaced longitudinally inward from the waistend edge 72 in the region of reference numeral 104.

The degree of spacing balances the fact that a smaller distance isharder for children and parents to remove but provides a moregarment-like appearance, while a larger distance is easier for childrenand parents to remove but provides a loose and floppy appearance that isnot garment-like. Thus, the fastening component 85 is desirably spacedtransversely inward from the distal edge 68 by about 1 to about 15millimeters, particularly about 1 to about 5 millimeters, such as about2 millimeters. The fastening component 85 is desirably spacedlongitudinally inward from the leg end edge 70 and from the waist endedge 72 by about 2 millimeters or more, particularly about 5 millimetersor more, such as from about 5 to about 15 millimeters.

A single side panel 34 of an alternative disposable absorbent article isshown in FIG. 7. The side panel 34 is bonded to a composite structure 33at an attachment line 66. The side panel 34 includes a distal edge 68transversely spaced from the attachment line 66 and a leg end edge 70and a waist end edge 72 that extend from the composite structure to thedistal edge. The side panel 34 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a separatefirst member 90, second member 92, and third member 94 that are arrangedin series from the attachment line 66 to the distal edge 68. Thefastening component 83 is disposed on the third member 94 adjacent thedistal edge 68.

The first member 90 is attached to the second member 92 at a seam 96,and the second member is attached to the third member 94 at a seam 98.The illustrated seams 96 and 98 extend from the leg end edge 70 to thewaist end edge 72 of the side panel 34. The seams may be permanent seamsor manually tearable seams. Suitable permanent seams can be formed byadhesives, sonic or thermal bonds, or some combination thereof, and aredesigned to resist tearing. Suitable manually tearable seams can beformed using means such as ultrasonic bonds to permit the side panel 34to be torn easily at or along the seam by the caregiver. Such seams aresuitably formed as lap seams or fin seams. In particular embodiments,the first and second members 90 and 92 comprise elastomeric materialsand the third member 94 comprises a non-elastomeric material.Alternatively, the side panel may comprise two members, one or both ofwhich may be elastomeric, that are bonded together at either a tearableseam or a permanent seam (not shown).

A further alternative training pant 400 is illustrated in a stretchedand laid flat condition in FIG. 8. The training pant 400 includes anabsorbent chassis defining a longitudinal axis 48, a transverse axis 49,front and back waist edges 38 and 39 parallel to the transverse axis,and opposite side edges 36 extending between the front and back waistedges. The training pant 400 has a front waist region 22 contiguous withthe front waist edge 38, a back waist region 24 contiguous with the backwaist edge 39, and a crotch region 26 which extends between andinterconnects the front and back waist regions. The illustratedabsorbent chassis includes a rectangular composite structure 33, with apair of elastomeric front side panels 34 bonded to the compositestructure in the front waist region 22 and a pair of elastomeric backside panels 134 bonded to the composite structure in the back waistregion 24. Desirably, the side panels 34 in the front waist region 22are longitudinally spaced from the side panels 134 in the back waistregion 24.

The illustrated training pant 400 also includes a pair of supportmembers 402 that are bonded to and extend transversely outward from theback side panels 134. The support members 402 desirably although notnecessarily comprise inelastic materials that are bonded to the sidepanels 134 at seams 404 using adhesives, sonic or thermal bonds, or thelike. Alternatively, the training pant 400 can include support members402 that are bonded to and extend transversely outward from both thefront and back side panels 34 and 134, or from the front side panelsalone (not shown).

The fastening system for the training pant 400 includes first and secondfastening components 82 and 83 disposed on the support members 402. Thefastening components 82 and 83 are adapted to releasably engage firstand second mating fastening components 84 and 85 that are connected tothe respective front side panels 34. The fastening components 82 and 83can comprise separate structures bonded to the support members 402 orcomprise integral portions, surfaces or regions of the support members.For instance, the support members 402 can comprise loop materials thatfunction as the fastening components 82 and 83. For improvedmanufacturing performance, the width of the elastomeric side panels 34in the front waist region 22 is equal to the width of the elastomericside panels 134 in the back waist region 24. The width of the sidepanels 34 and 134 is represented in FIG. 8 by arrow W and excludes thewidth of the support members 402.

The training pants 20, 300 and 400 can further include releasable sidebonds (not shown) for improved reliability of maintaining the pant in aprefastened condition particularly when it is being pulled on or offover the hips of the wearer. Such releasable side bonds are desirablyconfigured to be readily broken such that the caregiver can easilyremove the training pant 20 after it has been soiled. The releasableside bonds desirably comprise ultrasonic point bonds. Absorbent articlesincluding such releasable side bonds are further described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/100,574 titled “Disposable AbsorbentArticles Having Passive Side Bonds And Adjustable Fastening Systems”filed Jun. 19, 1998 by Elsberg, which is incorporated herein byreference.

As described herein, the various components of the training pants 20,300 and 400 can be integrally assembled together employing various typesof suitable attachment means, such as adhesive, sonic and thermal bondsor combinations thereof.

It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, givenfor purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting thescope of this invention. Although only a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in theart will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in theexemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thisinvention, which is defined in the following claims and all equivalentsthereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may beconceived that do not achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments,particularly of the preferred embodiments, yet the absence of aparticular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean thatsuch an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.

1. An absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent chassis defining alongitudinal axis, a transverse axis, front and back waist edgesparallel to the transverse axis, opposite side edges extending betweenthe front and back waist edges, a front waist region contiguous with thefront waist edge, a back waist region contiguous with the back waistedge, and a crotch region which extends between and interconnects thefront and back waist regions, the front waist region defining a pair oftransversely opposed first and second front side panels and a frontcenter panel positioned between and interconnecting the first and secondfront side panels, the back waist region defining a pair of transverselyopposed first and second back side panels and a back center panelpositioned between and interconnecting the first and second back sidepanels, at least one pair of side panels being elastomeric in adirection generally parallel to the transverse axis; and a fasteningsystem for releasably securing the absorbent article in a pant-likeconfiguration, the fastening system comprising first and secondfastening components disposed on the respective first and second backside panels and adapted to releasably engage first and second matingfastening components disposed on the respective first and second frontside panels, wherein the absorbent chassis comprises a bodyside liner,an outer cover bonded to the bodyside liner, and an absorbent assemblydisposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, wherein theouter cover comprises a rectangular liquid impermeable inner layer and anonwoven outer layer, wherein the first and second front side panels andthe first and second back side panels project transversely outward fromthe rectangular liquid impermeable inner layer, and wherein each of theside panels comprises a nonwoven material formed as a portion of thenonwoven outer layer of the outer cover, such that the nonwoven layerextends to the side edges in the side panels, and the rectangular liquidimpermeable inner layer does not extend to the side edges in the sidepanels.
 2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein both pairs of sidepanels are elastomeric in a direction generally parallel to thetransverse axis, and wherein each elastomeric side panel defines adistal edge, each front side panel comprising an interior portiondisposed between the distal edge and the front center panel, and eachback side panel comprising an interior portion disposed between thedistal edge and the back center panel, each side panel furthercomprising a piece of elastic material disposed in the interior portionthereof.
 3. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein each piece ofelastic material is directly connected to the nonwoven outer layer, andwherein each piece of elastic material is indirectly connected to theliquid impermeable inner layer by way of an intervening element, whereinthe intervening element comprises the nonwoven outer layer.
 4. Theabsorbent article of claim 2, wherein a transverse width of theelastomeric first front side panel is equal to a transverse width of theelastomeric first back side panel, and wherein a transverse width of theelastomeric second front side panel is equal to a transverse width ofthe elastomeric second back side panel.
 5. The absorbent article ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second fastening components are connectedto the respective first and second back side panels, and the first andsecond mating fastening components are connected to the respective firstand second front side panels.
 6. The absorbent article of claim 5,wherein a transverse distance extending from the longitudinal centerlineof the first fastening component to the longitudinal centerline of thesecond fastening component is substantially equal to a transversedistance extending from the longitudinal centerline of the first matingfastening component to the longitudinal centerline of the second matingfastening component, wherein each transverse distance is measuredparallel to the transverse axis with the front and back side panels inan unstretched condition.
 7. The absorbent article of claim 1, whereinthe pant-like configuration defines a waist opening and leg openings,and engagement of the fastening components and mating fasteningcomponents defines refastenable seams that cover about 90 to about 98percent of the distance between the waist opening and the leg openings.8. An absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent chassis defining alongitudinal axis, a transverse axis, front and back waist edgesparallel to the transverse axis, opposite side edges extending betweenthe front and back waist edges, a front waist region contiguous with thefront waist edge, a back waist region contiguous with the back waistedge, and a crotch region which extends between and interconnects thefront and back waist regions, the absorbent chassis comprising: abodyside liner, a rectangular liquid impermeable layer bonded to thebodyside liner, and an absorbent assembly disposed between the bodysideliner and the liquid impermeable layer; a stretchable but inelasticouter nonwoven layer connected to a garment-facing surface of therectangular liquid impermeable layer, the outer nonwoven layer and theliquid impermeable layer together defining an outer cover; and first andsecond elastomeric front side panels connected to the rectangular liquidimpermeable layer in the front waist region, and first and secondelastomeric back side panels connected to the rectangular liquidimpermeable layer in the back waist region, wherein each side panelcomprises an integral portion of the outer nonwoven layer, and whereineach side panel projects transversely outward from the rectangularliquid impermeable layer, such that the nonwoven layer extends to theside edges in the side panels, and the rectangular liquid impermeablelayer does not extend to the side edges in the side panels; and afastening system for releasably securing the absorbent article in apant-like configuration, the fastening system comprising first andsecond fastening components disposed on the respective first and secondback side panels and adapted to releasably engage first and secondmating fastening components disposed on the respective first and secondfront side panels.
 9. The absorbent article of claim 8, wherein eachelastomeric side panel defines a distal edge, each front side panelcomprising an interior portion disposed between the distal edge and thefront center panel, and each back side panel comprising an interiorportion disposed between the distal edge and the back center panel, eachside panel comprising a piece of elastic materiel disposed in theinterior portion thereof.
 10. The absorbent article of claim 9, whereineach piece of elastic material is directly connected to the nonwovenouter layer, and wherein each piece of elastic material is indirectlyconnected to the liquid impermeable inner layer by way of an interveningelement, wherein the intervening element comprises the outer nonwovenlayer.
 11. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein a left frontelastomeric side panel defines a transverse width equal to a left backelastomeric side panel transverse width, and wherein a right frontelastomeric side panel defines a transverse width equal to a right backelastomeric side panel transverse width.
 12. The absorbent article ofclaim 8, wherein the first and second fastening components are connectedto the respective first and second back side panels, and the first andsecond mating fastening components are connected to the respective firstand second front side panels.
 13. The absorbent article of claim 12,wherein a transverse distance extending from the longitudinal centerlineof the first fastening component to the longitudinal centerline of thesecond fastening component is substantially equal to a transversedistance extending from the longitudinal centerline of the first matingfastening component to the longitudinal centerline of the second matingfastening component, wherein each transverse distance is measuredparallel to the transverse axis with the front and back side panels inan unstretched condition.
 14. The absorbent article of claim 8, whereinthe pant-like configuration defines a waist opening and leg openings,and engagement of the fastening components and mating fasteningcomponents defines refastenable seams that cover about 90 to about 98percent of the distance between the waist opening and the leg openings.